Setting up a pantry

Setting up a Pantry

These are the following ways that we have sourced food for the pantry:

Aldi – contact your local store and ask if you can make bulk purchases. Some stores will take the order over the phone and then have it ready for collection. There is no discount available on items, however, this supermarket is the cheapest for essentials and staples.
Most other supermarkets, including Asda, Tesco and Morrisons have Community Champions who are eager to make contact with local charities and groups. They can organise items to be donated as well as fulfilling specific group needs, they are a valuable resource. Morrisons in particular are committed to tackling food poverty and do lots to support groups in the Northwest.

Food Surplus

There are several organisations who try to reduce food wastage by donating food surplus. Most of these require your group or organisation to follow certain standards and policies (see policies section). This is a great source of additional items for a pantry and has a significant impact on food waste.

Co-op Food Share

We see unsold, good food on our shelves go out of date. Traditionally, this food would be thrown away, however we want these products to reach and feed the people in your local community who need it most to prevent food waste.
Neighbourly

An award-winning giving platform that helps businesses make a positive impact in their communities by donating volunteer time, money and surplus products, all in one place.
FareShare

We redistribute surplus food from some of the UK’s top food companies to nearly 9,500 charities and community groups.

Equipment

Setting up a food pantry needn’t cost the earth with equipment. If you are already offering some kind of food provision it is a simple case of starting to charge for the items and increasing the offering.

A food pantry can be run using supermarket crates and tables or with shelving. Ideally the food pantry should operate much like a small shop. Items can be reclaimed following shop refits or shelving repurposed.

If you are including frozen or refrigerated items, it is important that a fridge and freezer are used, that they are in good condition and that the temperatures meet food hygiene standards (see policies section).

Policies and procedures

Policies and procedures

The following policies and procedures are a few examples of policies we have used at Trust House:

Food standards from the Food Standards Agency: Safer Food, Better Business and Food Hygiene & Safety
Safeguarding (as usually dealing with vulnerable adults): Example Charity Safeguarding Policy Template - Plus Charity Commission Guidance & Safeguarding Resources
Governance documents: Free Charity Excellence online trustee governance checklist, resources and guidance

Putting policies and procedures in place can sometimes feel a little daunting. The Voluntary, Community, and Faith Alliance (VCFA) is a good place to start for advice and support. VCFA seeks to enhance local community and voluntary action in Bury. It develops the capacity of organisations to provide support and deliver quality services, through effective strategic engagement with partners and by forging alliances with local businesses and communities. Bury VCFA are a valuable source of information for policies and procedures for small and new charities. The team can offer advice on funding, start up, best practice and local events. Local community groups and charities can register to become a member of the VCFA at www.buryvcfa.org.uk.

Please feel free to connect with the VCFA for guidance on any potential policies that your group may need.